Judge rules MLPA officials must release public records

A Sacramento County Superior Court judge ruled Thursday that the Blue Ribbon Task Force and the Master Plan Team for the Marine Life Protection Act South Coast Region are “state agencies” and must adhere to the California Public Records Act.

Judge Patrick Marlette ruled in favor of San Diego’s Robert C. Fletcher, saying the agencies must release all requested documents related to the South Coast Region of the Marine Life Protection Act by Oct. 10.

The Blue Ribbon Task Force and the Master Plan Team have been charged with drawing up proposals for enactment of the Marine Life Protection Act

Fletcher, former president of the Sportfishing Association of California, could not be reached for comment. Blue Ribbon Task Force and Master Plan Team officials also could not be reached.

A spokesman for the Partnership for Sustainable Oceans, of which Fletcher is a member, said this is a major victory for fishing groups that have opposed all or parts of the MLPA.

The MLPA was passed by the state legislature in 1999 but only recently have sections of it been installed. The legislation called for the state to increase its effectiveness in protecting the state’s marine life, habitat and ecosystems.

Thus far, sections along the Central Coast and North Central Coast have been approved. The South Coast section is under environmental review and going through a public comment period until Oct. 19.

The next discussion about the MLPA South Coast Region will be in San Diego Oct. 20-21 during the state Fish and Game Commission meeting.